RUST IS FOR LOSERS – THE KINGS STORM DALLAS 5-1

For the first two periods, the Kings looked like they were playing the Latvian woman’s hockey team with their goaltender Okrap Deyskoragen.

Doughty, Frolov, Smyth and Stoll had their way with the defenders. Simmonds ran a night train on their tough chic, Woywitka, early in the second. I didn’t make that name up. Goals came from Stoll in the first, and Frolov, Richardson and Smyth in the second. The first two frames saw a solid forecheck, good cycling, patience in the defensive zone and, most importantly, an impenetrable wall by the name of Jonathan Quick.

The third had some spooky moments. Penalty trouble got the Kings on their heels for the first half of the period but even when the Stars were attacking, the Kings looked in complete control. Any concerns about a post Olympic hangover were put to rest in impressive fashion.

To add insult to injury, Kopitar scored with 6.3 seconds left to finish them 5-1. Salt meet wound.

Quick set a new Kings record with his 36th win in one season. He is headed for the NHL single season record.

Too many good things to mention. To top it off, it appears (as I write this) that the Blues will take down the Coyotes tonight which will put the Kings into 4th place in the Western Conference.